Lord Have Mercy!
The God of Heaven is a merciful God. Although, He is "of purer eyes than to behold evil" Hab. 1:13, and "hates iniquity" Psa. 45:7/Heb. 1:7, man, His more prized creation is overcome with evil and polluted with sin. Yet, God's initial response to man's sin is to mercifully provide redemption. Although "the wages of sin is death" Rom. 6:23,the Lord's ultimate, eternal purpose for man is salvation from sin and eternal fellowship with Him.
So, contrary to what one may think of such an omnipotent, omniscient God; His desire is NOT to destroy man for his sins which separate him from God Isa.59:1-2, but, to redeem and reconcile man back to Himself. Adam and Eve, who first sinned in the beginning were not immediately destroyed for their sins. But, it was announced to them of a plan which God had already devised to reconcile and redeem them from sin's condemnation Gen. 3:15. Before God destroyed the world by flood, He announced His grief and contempt for man's depravity. Yet, He gave them 120 years to repent and return to Him. And, of all who were alive at that time, only 8 souls believed and obeyed God's Word.
Now, God's plan for man's redemption has come to fruition through the life, death and resurrection of His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ; whom He gave so "that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life" Jn. 3:16. And, isn't it ironic that He was so hated that His enemies would've rather bear the guilt of His murder than to accept the proof of His identity Matt. 27:24-25? Yet, those very men were among the first to be offered then cleansing power of His precious blood. Lord, Have Mercy!
kevin_wright1@hotmail.com
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